Asthma Specialist
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Gulf West Medical Associates
Rajesh B Dave, MD
Internal Medicine & Primary Care located in Port Richey, FL
An asthma attack can be a scary experience. If you have asthma, you need the expert services of board-certified internist Rajesh Dave, MD, of Gulf West Medical Associates in Port Richey, Florida. Dr. Dave is an experienced, caring physician who provides exceptional service for his patients. For compassionate care and treatment of your asthma, call Gulf West Medical Associates today or book an appointment online.
Asthma Q&A
What is asthma?
Asthma causes breathing difficulties due to inflammation and irritation in the airways leading to your lungs. The inflammation makes the airways narrow, which makes it harder to draw breath. This hyperreactivity in your airways causes spasms and can lead to symptoms such as:
- Wheezing
- Chest constriction
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
If you’re struggling to breathe, the feelings of panic this causes can make the problem worse.
What causes asthma?
Asthma most often develops during childhood, but there isn’t a single proven cause. There are, however, risk factors that make you more likely to develop asthma. If you catch a bug called the respiratory syncytial virus, that increases the likelihood that you’ll develop asthma.
Research indicates that asthma is less likely to affect children who experience exposure to allergens and germs when they’re young. Asthma is also less common in breastfed babies.
What triggers an asthma attack?
Asthma attacks usually start when you come into contact with an allergen or other substance that you breathe in. Common examples include:
- Dust and dust mites
- Pets and pet dander
- Mold spores
- Smoke
- Pollution
Stress and anxiety also cause a tightening in the chest muscles that can trigger an asthma attack.
If you don’t have asthma and you experience any difficulties breathing, you should seek immediate medical attention in case there’s a problem with your heart or lungs.
How is asthma treated?
If Dr. Dave diagnoses your symptoms as asthma, he prescribes asthma inhalers for you to use. You carry an inhaler with you wherever you go, so when you feel your chest tightening, you can trigger a blast of medicated mist into your airways. The mist in your inhaler soothes the inflammation in your airways so you can breathe more easily.
Dr. Dave can also help you work out what’s likely to trigger an asthma attack so you can stay away from anything that particularly affects you. When your exposure to allergens is reduced, your airways get a chance to relax, and the hyperreactivity eases, making an asthma attack less likely.
You should always keep an inhaler with you, as asthma attacks can sometimes be so severe that breathing stops altogether.
If you’re having any breathing difficulties, call Gulf West Medical Associates today or book an appointment online.
